1.4.1 Drugs and Substance Misuse |
LONDON CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES
If there are concerns regarding parental misuse of substances please see Section 5.34, Parents who Misuse Substances of the London Child Protection Procedures.
AMENDMENT
This chapter was slightly updated in March 2012 in regard to Section 1, Definition.
Contents
Drugs and Substances are defined as any substances, whether restricted or prohibited, which may have a harmful effect upon a child, such as:
Alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, aerosols, gas, glue, magic mushrooms, petrol, solvents and all controlled substances such as amphetamines, barbiturates, cannabis, cocaine including crack cocaine, hallucinogens, hashish and narcotics such as heroin.
For information about drugs, visit Talk to Frank website.
2. Access/use of Drugs and Substances
2.1 Purchasing Drugs or Substances
All reasonable measures must be used to reduce or prevent children from obtaining drugs or substances which may harm them.
If it is known or suspected that children are obtaining products which may harm them, whether off the streets, from dealers or from traders of any kind, the social worker must be informed and a strategy adopted to reduce or prevent it.
This may include engaging or involving the supplier, if it is safe to do so.
If the problem persists or is serious, relevant specialists or bodies, including Trading Standards or the Police, should be informed.
2.2 Cigarettes and Tobacco
Staff may not smoke in the presence of children and may not purchase or give cigarettes, tobacco or the materials for making or lighting cigarettes or tobacco to children.
If Looked After children wish to smoke, Social Worker should give permission and the arrangements for it (e.g. how cigarettes will be purchased, whether the child may smoke in the home) should be set out in the Health and Safety Checklist or Placement Information Record for an individual child.
2.3 Alcohol
Children should be discouraged from purchasing or consuming alcohol, except in exceptional circumstances, e.g. allowing teenage children to consume small amounts during the festive season.
In relation to Looked After Children, the purchase and/or consumption of alcohol by children must be outlined in the Health and Safety Checklist or Placement Information Record for an individual child.
2.4 Aerosols, gas, glue, and Petrol
Aerosols, gas, glue, petrol and other similar substances may only be used for the purpose they were designed for. Staff should take all reasonable measures to restrict their use to children who are known to pose a risk to themselves or others if they have access to such substances.
In relation to Looked After Children, the arrangements for obtaining, safe storage or access to children of these substances must be outlined in the Health and Safety Checklist or Placement Information Record for an individual child.
2.5 Controlled Drugs and Substances
Under no circumstances may controlled drugs and substances, other than those prescribed by a medical practitioner, be accessible to children. Where it is necessary to keep such drugs/substances in family/children’s homes, suitable arrangements should be made for their safe storage.
In relation to Looked After Children, these arrangements must be recorded, for example, in the Health and Safety Checklist or Placement Information Record for an individual child.
3. Prevention and Planning
If it is known or suspected that a child is at risk of participating in drug or substances misuse activities, such as using and/or trading in, consideration should be given to the following:
- The provision of relevant information, guidance and/or advice to help reduce or prevent risks;
- A strategy for managing the risk;
- Consideration to making a referral to relevant specialists for support, guidance and/or treatment;
- Consulting or involving the Police (See Contacting the Police Procedure).
Any such measures/strategies must be outlined in a relevant plan (e.g. Care Plan or Placement Plan/Placement Information Record for a Looked After Child)
4. Emergencies
If it is suspected that a child or others are at risk of serious harm resulting from the misuse of drugs or substances, staff should adopt the measures set out in any previously agreed plan.
In the absences of such a plan, or if the plan is unsuitable in the circumstances, staff should take what actions are immediately necessary to protect the child or others at risk, then notify the manager and the child’s social worker.
The actions that may be taken will be dependent on the circumstances and the likelihood and seriousness of any Injury being caused. In some circumstances it may be appropriate to use Physical Intervention or search a child and/or a child’s belongings.
See Physical Intervention Procedure.
See Searching Children and their Belongings Procedure
If there is a risk of significant injury, including the risk of a serious criminal offence, the Police should be notified.
See Contacting the Police Procedure
If solvents are involved, allow air to circulate freely and extinguish naked lights.
If any person is unconscious, in a fit, convulsing or otherwise seriously ill, emergency first aid should be given and an ambulance requested. The emergency services should be informed that there are suspicions of drug or solvent misuse.
The drugs/substances should be removed or confiscated, preferably with the co-operation of the child(ren); and all actions must be recorded, describing what they have obtained and where it has been safely stored.
- Legal but potentially harmful substances such as cigarettes, alcohol, aerosols, gas, glue, and petrol should be put in a safe place out of the reach of children or disposed of safely;
- Controlled substances and any associated materials or paraphernalia must be placed in a clearly marked box or other strong container, sealed and given to the manager who must arrange for it to be taken to a competent authority e.g. pharmacist or doctor; and a receipt obtained.
Once the child/others are safe, the social worker, manager or supervisor must be notified and consideration given to drawing up a plan to prevent or reduce further occurrences.
5. Recording
Non serious occurrences should be recorded on the child’s file; in relation to children placed in Foster Care, it should be recorded in the child’s Daily Record.
If an Incident has occurred, there are certain records that must be completed and a Management Review must be undertaken.
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